Former ‘All Whites’ captain and back row, Clive Dyer passes.

Swansea RFC was saddened to hear of the recent passing of former ‘All Whites’ captain and back row, Clive Dyer.

Hailing from Glynneath, Clive played in the Neath Y.M.C.A. Colts team as a youngster and won his Welsh Boys and Welsh Youth Caps at that time. He later played for Glynneath RFC alongside Dai Morris and David Weaver during their Invincible season. Employed as a policeman, Clive also turned out regularly for South Wales Police (SWP). It was not long before his eye catching performances for Glynneath and SWP brought him to St Helen’s and Swansea RFC. He made for the club on 27th March 1963 as a flanker in a scoreless draw away to Abertillery.

Clive was to play for Swansea through the decade until 1970, making 156 appearances. This would have been a higher number but for the SWP club having first call on his services through work. Clive was unfortunate to miss the Swansea club’s match with Australia in 1966 through injury, but his uncompromising play at the back of the scrum and in loose play ensured he was an integral part of the pack throughout the ‘sixties.

Clive captained Swansea during 1968-69 and represented Swansea against the 1969 Springboks at St Helen’s.

Clive’s career with Swansea drew to a close in 1970 and he went on to coach at Glynneath RFC, with the first fifteen and youth teams. Clive Dyer was awarded his Swansea RFC “100” cap in 2019 in recognition of his long service to the club and the 156 appearances he made. Clive’s brother Robert, who captained Swansea during their rugby centenary season (1973-74) received his own “100” cap that same day.

Another Swansea captain Mike Thomas, was a close friend and team mate of Clive’s. Mike played alongside Clive in the Neath Y.M.C.A Colts and for Swansea. Mike adds: “Clive was a very uncompromising player, one you could always rely on. He was the type of player you would rather be in your team than the opposing team. Clive never said much; he let his actions speak for him. He was a character in a true sense of the word, and they broke the mould when they made him.”

Everyone at St Helen’s sends their condolences to Clive’s family at this difficult time. Details of the funeral arrangements will be announced when available.